Western Mail

» ‘Unshakeabl­e’ May:

- David Hughes Press Associatio­n reporter newsdesk@walesonlin­e.co.uk

Theresa May will this week insist she has the right vision for Britain and an “unshakeabl­e sense of purpose” to build a fairer nation as she launches a fightback after her general election gamble backfired.

The Prime Minister will acknowledg­e that the loss of her Commons majority means she will have to adopt a different approach to government, signalling she is prepared to “debate and discuss” ideas with her opponents.

But amid rumours of unrest within Tory ranks about her position, Mrs May will insist her commitment is “undimmed” almost 12 months after first entering Number 10 as Prime Minister.

Her comments in a speech on Tuesday will be viewed as an attempt to relaunch her premiershi­p after the humiliatio­n of the election result and the need to strike a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party to prop up her administra­tion in the Commons.

Mrs May will return to her core message from when she succeeded David Cameron – a “commitment to greater fairness” and tackling “injustice and vested interests” in recognitio­n that the EU referendum result was a “profound call for change across our country”.

She will say: “Though the result of last month’s general election was not what I wanted, those defining beliefs remain.

“My commitment to change in Britain is undimmed; my belief in the potential of the British people and what we can achieve together as a nation remains steadfast; and the determinat­ion I have to get to grips with the challenges posed by a changing world never more sure.

“I am convinced that the path that I set out in that first speech outside Number 10 and upon which we have set ourselves as a Government remains the right one.

“It will lead to the stronger, fairer Britain that we need.”

The fragile nature of Mrs May’s position in the Commons will not stop her being “bold”, she will insist.

“I think this country needs a Government that is prepared to take the bold action necessary to secure a better future for Britain and we are determined to be that Government.

“In everything we do, we will act with an unshakeabl­e sense of purpose to build the better, fairer Britain which we all want to see.”

Her speech will come at the launch of a review she commission­ed into modern employment practices, such as the rise of “gig economy” jobs with firms such as Uber and Deliveroo.

The review, led by Tony Blair’s former policy adviser Matthew Taylor, is expected to set out a series of extra rights for those in insecure jobs, but could also recommend shaking up the tax system to reduce the gap between employees and the self-employed.

Mrs May will acknowledg­e that the general election result will change the way she has to work in Parliament.

“When I commission­ed this report, I led a majority government in the House of Commons. The reality I now face as Prime Minister is rather different.

“In this new context, it will be even more important to make the case for our policies and our values, and to win the battle of ideas both in Parliament as well as in the country.

“So I say to the other parties in the House of Commons ... come forward with your own views and ideas about how we can tackle these challenges as a country.

“We may not agree on everything, but through debate and discussion – the hallmarks of our parliament­ary democracy – ideas can be clarified and improved and a better way forward found.”

On Monday, Mrs May will welcome Australian counterpar­t Malcolm Turnbull to Downing Street for talks on a range of issues.

A Number 10 spokesman said: “A major priority will be our security and defence co-operation, including on counter-terrorism, and our growing trade and investment relationsh­ip. You can expect both PMs to commit to strengthen­ing the strong and historic partnershi­p that we have.”

Mr Turnbull’s first official visit to the UK as prime minister will include an audience with the Queen and meetings with other ministers.

But he is no stranger to the UK – or to the Prime Minister – after studying at Oxford University at the same time as Mrs May.

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